Tutorial: Adding a PREMIUM License Manually or via a Theme file

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byMarta Garcia
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This guide explains how to apply a PREMIUM license to your Nova Silva Power BI visual: either manually through the Power BI interface or automatically using a Power BI theme file.

License Options

You have two methods to activate the PREMIUM license for your visual:

  1. Manual License Entry – Enter the license details directly in Power BI Desktop.
  2. Theme File License – Add your license to a Power BI theme JSON file so it applies automatically to all visuals in your report.

New

Power BI: Organizational Themes Support (Preview)
Microsoft has added preview support in Power BI for Organizational Themes, allowing administrators to define a shared theme for all users. This organizational theme can include the license information for Nova Silva visuals, simplifying license management.
Learn how to configure this in our blog post: Use Organizational Themes to manage your License in Nova Silva visuals

Adding the License Manually

To apply the license manually within Power BI Desktop:

  1. Open your report in Power BI Desktop.
  2. Add the Nova Silva visual to the report canvas if it’s not already there.
  3. Select the visual on your report canvas to activate it.
  4. In the Visualizations pane, click the Format visual (paint roller) icon.
  5. Expand the License card.
  6. Paste the License Name and License Key exactly as provided in your email.
  7. If entered correctly, the license’s expiration date will appear, confirming successful activation.
  8. Save your report and Publish it to the Power BI Service.

For a scalable approach across reports, consider using a Theme file to automate license activation. You can find detailed instructions in the next section.

Adding the License via a Theme File

Using a theme file allows you to apply the license automatically, avoiding manual entry for each visual or report.

Why Use a Theme File?

Power BI Themes are defined in so called JSON files. By including your license information in the theme’s visualStyles section, the license will be applied to all Nova Silva visuals used within that report.

Steps to Add License in a Theme File

  1. Create or edit a JSON theme file.
  2. Add a visualStyles section with your license info (see example below).
  3. Save the file with a .json extension (e.g., Theme.json).
  4. In Power BI Desktop:
    • Open a new or existing report that includes the Nova Silva visual.
    • Go to the View tab.
    • Click the Themes drop-down and select Browse for themes.
    • Locate and open your saved Theme.json file.
    • A File successfully added confirmation will appear. Click Got it.
  5. Your report will now include the license information automatically.
  6. Save and Publish your report to the service.

If your organization already uses a corporate theme, simply insert the visualStyles section into that existing JSON file. The license will then apply consistently across all related reports using that theme.

License properties

UI Field (Power BI)

License Name

License Key

JSON Property

"licenseName"

"licenseName"

Theme File License Example

Here’s the code to include in your theme JSON file.
Replace "YOUR LICENSE NAME" and "YOUR LICENSE KEY" with the license information provided in your email.

Always copy and paste your license credentials exactly as received in the email, mistakes will prevent activation.

"visualStyles": {
       "*": {
          "*": {
             "license": [{
                 "licenseName": "YOUR LICENSE NAME",
                 "licenseKey": "YOUR LICENSE KEY"
            }]
        }
    } 
}

Troubleshooting

Confirm License Activation

  • Select the visual and open the License section.
  • If the license is applied correctly, you will see:
    • License status
    • Expiration date

If no expiration date appears, the license has not been applied.

If the license is not been applied, especially when using a theme file, review the following common issues:

1. Incorrect JSON Structure

  • The license block must be placed exactly under: visualStyles > * > *
  • Any misplaced brackets or nesting errors will cause Power BI to ignore the license.
  • Tip: Validate your JSON using a JSON validator before loading it into Power BI.

2. Errors in License Details

  • License Name and License Key are case-sensitive.
  • Extra spaces (especially at the beginning or end) will prevent activation.
  • Fix: Copy and paste the values directly from the license email.

3.Power BI Desktop vs Power BI Service

  • Licenses are validated at runtime in Power BI Desktop and Power BI Service.
  • Fix: Always save and publish the report after applying or changing the license.
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